Two decades ago, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established during a turbulent time for the palm oil industry. The venture was borne out of a struggle for survival amid mounting challenges and a harsh scrutiny in the wake of significant environmental issues in Southeast Asia. This forward-thinking initiative was designed to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products, marking a pivotal chapter in the history of this multibillion-dollar industry steeped in controversy surrounding its environmental impact.
1. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established during a challenging time for the palm oil industry two decades ago.
2. It was created in response to significant environmental issues in Southeast Asia, where the palm oil industry is predominant.
3. The RSPO initiative was intended to support the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products, signalling a crucial shift in the industry.
4. In addition to environmental issues, Southeast Asian countries were also dealing with labor exploitation scandals and severe economic downturns due to an oversaturated palm oil market.
5. These compounding challenges called for urgent and transformative changes in how palm oil was produced.
Since it was established two decades ago, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has certified over 14 million metric tons of palm oil across the globe.
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established about 20 years ago during a period of tremendous difficulty for the palm oil industry. Southeast Asian countries, known for their extremely high output of palm oil, were reeling from significant crises. Rampant environmental degradation, compelling international scandals involving labor exploitation, and severe economic downturns due to oversaturation in the palm oil market were hampering progress in the industry. This called for urgent and drastic changes in the arena of palm oil production.